Nova Social Studies 10

7. United Nations Population Fund (UNPF): The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) works for safe
birth, care for both mother and child and population education at all the possible platforms. The popular
slogan of the UNPF goes, “every pregnancy is wanted; every ‘child birth’ is safe and every young person’s
potential fulfilled”. This organization works for the improvement of reproductive health of both men and
women. The UNPF has been assisting Nepal since 1971. The activities of this organization are continuing in
18 districts of Nepal in the areas of reproductive health, gender violence against women and girls, as per a
recent report. The organization also helps the Government of Nepal in conducting census and household
survey.

8. United Nations Volunteers (UNV) Programme: United Nations Volunteers (UNV) Programme
contributes to peace and development through volunteerism worldwide. Volunteerism is the practice of
doing work for good causes, without being paid for it. People at all the levels are encouraged to contribute
their service (labor) for the welfare of the community and the development of the local area or just voicing
the concerns for spreading awareness on important issues which concern the people in community at local,
national or global level. Nepal being the least developed country needs it all the more for engaging people
in tackling development challenges to establish peace in the society and complete the development projects
in different areas. This organization has been conducting its several programmes since 1974.
9. UN Human Settlement Program (UN–Habitat): The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN–
Habitat), established in 1978, promotes socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities for
providing adequate shelter for all. It works on twin goals: adequate shelter for all and the development of
sustainable human settlements in an urbanizing world. It also works towards improving the physical living
conditions of the people dwelling in slum areas. This organization had extended its help to the victims of
Koshi flood in 2065 BS.
10. World Health organization (WHO): The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency
of the United Nations System, with its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. The objective of WHO is the
attainment by all people of the highest possible level of health. The WHO provides technical support to
address the country’s priority health issues. It supports mostly in policy planning and program development;
human resources development; prevention and control of major communicable diseases, polio eradication,
leprosy elimination; health promotion; healthy environment; and health technology and pharmaceuticals.
The WHO in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Population, Government of Nepal has been
working on several health-related projects in different parts of the country. It has been providing technical
support in areas of health and medicine, guiding the healthcare industries in research in medicine and so
on. Besides, the WHO has also been conducting training and educational programs on issues related with
reproductive health in different districts of Nepal.

11. UN Women: The United Nations General Assembly created UN Women in July 2010 with a view to
achieve the goals of gender equality and the empowerment of women all over the world. The creation of UN
Women was a major step towards focusing on women related issues which block their progress, prosperity
and freedom. It works for eliminating discrimination of all forms against women and girls. The office of
the UN Women was set up in Nepal in 2012. This organization contributes to spread awareness against

445<< Nova Social Studies Grade-10

domestic violence and conducts programmes on developing leadership qualities in women. It encourages
the women to become economically independent and leads them to participate in public life. UN Women
also provides guidelines and inputs in making national policy on women and preparing budget of the
country with special attention being given to women development.

Words and terms you would like to know

Mobilization (n.): an act (or effort) of organizing or preparing something, such as a group of people, for a purpose
Marginalization (n.): treating someone or something as if they are not needed or they are not important
Enhancement (n.): a change, or a process of change, that improves something or increases its value
Collaboration (n.): getting to work with someone else for a special purpose
Toll (n.): suffering, deaths

Activities

1. Which specialized agencies of the United Nations Organization are involved in bringing development
in your local community? Find out and write the details of their works along with the impacts these
organizations are creating in the life of the people. Share the same with your classmates.

2. Women have suffered longer and more severely than men. They have been considered inferior in various
social structures. Make a list of the ‘UN Specialized Agencies’ working for the progress and promotion
of women (and girls) in the Nepalese society. Organize a detailed discussion on the impacts of works
these organizations have brought on the life of the Nepalese women and girls. Give suggestions if any
you think they should follow while working for the welfare of the Nepalese women. How would you
like to contribute to their endeavors for bringing positive change in the life of women and girls in our
society?

Exercise

1. What kinds of works have UN Specialized Agencies like United Nations Development Programme,
United Nations Volunteers Programme and World Food Programme been doing in Nepal? Make a list
detailing their development works in Nepal.

2. What is the relevance and significance of United Nations Human Settlement Programme at present?
How is this organization helpful for Nepal?

3. Suggest measures (steps) to make ‘International Fund for Agriculture Development’ more effective and
impactful. Also mention its contributions in Nepal.

4. Make a list of different NGOs (Non-Government Organizations) engaged in several development
activities in Nepal.

5. Write a letter to the United Nations Capital Development Fund for devising more practical strategies for
helping the rural local communities in Nepal through microfinance and investment. Also suggest the
ways how this organization can help the rural communities of Nepal.

6. What is UN Women? What are its major objectives? How can it be useful in context of Nepal?
7. What is HIV/AIDS? What are the common ways in which Nepalese men and women get caught by

HIV/AIDS? Explain the roles played by the UNAIDS in Nepal.
8. Define volunteerism. Explain the relevance and significance of United Nations Volunteers Programme

in Nepal.
9. Every pregnancy is wanted, every ‘child birth’ is safe and every young person’s potential fulfilled.

Examine the statement in light of the works done by the United Nations Population Fund.
10. Highlight the contributions of International Labour Organization and World Health Organization in

Nepal.

Community Work

Visit any project site being run (organized) by any of the UN Specialized Agencies in any part of Nepal.
Collect all the necessary information regarding that project like name, purpose, benefits, area or region of
project implementation, cost involved, level of community participation, response from the Government of
Nepal and so on. Prepare a report on it and present the same to the Principal of your school.

446 Nova Social Studies Grade-10 >>

Lesson Contemporary Events and Their
Effects
5

Contemporary events in the world have deep impact on human life cutting across the geographical bound-
aries of the countries. These events are multidimensional in effects and hence shape up or influence the
economic, political, social and environmental aspects of human life both at regional as well as global level.
These contemporary events, if related with disasters which may be manmade or natural in origin, effect the
global change due to their universal impact on the wellbeing of the entire humanity across the planet earth.
Some have impact on the climate and environment in which we live like the climate change while some of
them are related with war and peace such as disarmament, global threat of terrorism and constructive use
of nuclear energy. Yet some others are related with epidemics and pandemics like Ebola, AIDS, spread of
Zika virus and so on.

Below are the brief descriptions of such contemporary events which have affected our life across the world
and have altered our life to overcome the challenges posed by them:

(A.) Sustainable development

Sustainable development is defined as balancing the protection of the natural environment with the fulfill-
ment of human needs so that these needs can be met not only in the present, but in the indefinite future.
The term was first coined in 1980 by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature; “sustainable
development” came into general usage following the publication of the 1987 report of the Brundtland Com-
mission. The commission defined the sustainable development as economic and social growth that “meets
the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”
(United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs 1987). The concept of sustainable development
integrates both development (a traditional economic and political goal) and sustainability (an ecological goal)
together. The concept of sustainable development gained momentum in terms of its implementation all over
the world by many of the countries from the beginning of 1990s. It has now become the guiding principle to
devise national and international policy for development and execution of the development programmes.
The Heads of the Governments met in the World Conference in 2015 and agreed to accept likes of democra-
cy, Good Governance, and rule of law as the main pillars of sustainable development at political level. There
is a grave danger of environmental damage by ignoring the execution of the concept of sustainable devel-
opment as it will definitely invite natural disasters. At the same time, the future generations will also get
deprived of using the natural resources. We all know that the concept of sustainable development touches
upon the fundamental relationship between human beings and nature.

(B.) Disarmament

Disarmament is the act of reducing, limiting, or abolishing weapons of mass destruction. Disarmament ap-
plies on limiting or avoiding the use of a country’s military or specific type of weaponry to save the world
and humanity from the scourge of war. Wars, riots, violent conflicts and ethnic clashes wipe out the huge
numbers of innocent human beings by branding them enemy in the name of race, religion, and political
ideology and so on. The presence of dangerous arms, ammunitions and deadly weapons like nuclear bombs
has brought all of us on the brink of self annihilation. Disarmament is an attempt to take away the dangerous
arms and ammunitions from the hands of mad and overambitious politicians acting out of power-lust and
to establish their own personal dominance. Specially, the nuclear disarmament aims at making this planet
earth as a nuclear-weapons-free world by eliminating weapons of mass destruction and nuclear arms. Unit-
ed Nations Organization has urged all the member states to go for the “balanced reduction of armed forces
and conventional armaments in order to make this beautiful planet a safer place to live and progress. Over
time, every member state of the UNO should cut down the strength of heavy presence of military, armed
forces and police to a minimum required level for the maintenance of internal law and order situation. Disar-
mament stresses upon the constructive and creative side of humanity by discouraging the mutually destruc-
tive tendencies of power-driven few human beings who want to capture all and rule over it. Disarmament
in its core emphasizes on sharing the means and resources with all to survive peacefully rather than control
the resources by conquering, threatening and killing the people from other countries by calling them enemy.

447<< Nova Social Studies Grade-10

(C.) Global terrorism

Terrorism is defined as the use of mindless and indiscriminate violence on public places and a group of
people to create terror or fear, in order to achieve a political, religious, or ideological goal. In the 21st cen-
tury, terrorism has emerged as one of the greatest threats for the humanity on the planet Earth. It is the
ugliest crime which can ever be committed against humanity where unprovoked violence is unleashed
on the innocent people on the basis of assumed notion or idea that a perpetrator holds. Terrorist acts
throughout history have been performed on religious grounds with the goal to either spread or enforce a
system of belief, viewpoint or opinion. This is what we find even today where terrorist outfits of various
designations use religion for covering their acts of terrorism which destroy culture, language, political
system and other religions which do not match with their ideas or descriptions that they hold. Terrorism
harbours intolerance, hatred and barbarism to destroy anything or everything which does not match with
their idea or version or viewpoint.

Terrorist Attack on USA (9/11 attack) Terrorist attack on India (26/11 attack)

According to the Global Terrorism Index, religious extremism has become the main driver of terrorist
attacks around the world in the 21st century. Global terrorism comes in many forms including suicide
bombings and attacks on foreign lands. One major example of global terrorism is the September 11, 2001
attacks (popularly known as 9/11) where members of a terrorist group called Al Qaeda flew planes into
the World Trade Center in New York City (United States of America). This 9/11 attack killed 2,996 people,
injured 6,000 people and damaged the property and infrastructure worth $ 10 billion. Since 9/11 there has
been a five-fold increase in deaths from terrorist attacks. The perpetrators of such acts of terrorism can
be individuals, groups, or states. There are evidences where even a state is involved in the cross-border
terrorism to cause mass killings on the soil of another country to fulfill a religious and political agenda.
The 2008 Mumbai (India) attacks were a series of assaults that took place on November 26, 2008 (popu-
larly known as 26/11) killing 164 people and wounding at least 308. According to the Global Terrorism
Database, more than 61,000 incidents of non-state terrorism have claimed over 140,000 lives from 2000 to
2014. Not all terrorist attacks take place on such a large scale as mentioned in above examples. The most
common patterns of terrorism as we have been noticing in recent years are the attack by suicide bombers
killing civilians and other groups of people in countries around the world.

As of March of 2017, the biggest display of terrorism that is taking place in Iraq and Syria is being launched
by the group called ISIS -- Islamic State of Iraq and Syria. The group intends to overthrow the current
government through violent acts. ISIS gained global notoriety in early 2014 and is still considered as the
greatest threat for global peace and stability. They have grown their tentacles in Europe, Asia and Africa
too. When terrorism takes place, it affects not just the country in which the violence or threats are taking
place, but it involves many countries. Every one of us needs to be vigilant if such thoughts or acts promot-
ing terrorism are growing in our neighborhood. Stricter security and global cooperation is often required
to prevent the terrorist groups from succeeding in their cause.

448 Nova Social Studies Grade-10 >>

(D.) Landmine

Landmine is a bomb that is put on or under the ground that explodes when a person steps on it or a vehicle
drives over it. Such bombs can be kept inside the running water in a river or sea too to cause damage to
human life and property being carried by ships or boats. A landmine is an explosive device which is used
in disguised (concealed) manner under or on the ground during war, or violent conflicts. Such a device is
detonated (exploded) automatically by way of pressure when a target steps on it or drives over it. However,
it can be detonated from outside also. The use of landmines has become controversial because so many in-
nocent people including children and women get killed or disabled for life.
Landmines continue to kill for far too long a time even after the war or conflict is over as the landmines
keep buried under the ground and not removed after the end of a conflict. In such a case, landmines kill or
maim who step on them or pick them up long after a conflict. The 1997 Mine Ban Treaty comprehensively
bans the use, production, stockpiling, and transfer of anti-personnel mines, and requires states to destroy
their stockpiles and clear all mined areas as well as assist landmine survivors. The international campaign
to ban landmines has shown its result. A total of 162 states have joined the Mine Ban Treaty and are making
progress in achieving a landmine-free world.

A landmine is being removed. Checking a landmine A landmine victim

(E.) Overpopulation

Overpopulation is the human population crisis because rapidly rising human population cannot be sup-
ported with already shrinking natural resources. Overpopulation particularly in the developing countries
has posed challenges as the degradation of the capacity of the environment to give support to the human
population has become the global concern today. In a situation like this, a human population in a specific
geographical location exceeds the carrying capacity of the place (region) occupied by a group of humans.
Overpopulation isn’t just population density (number of people per unit landmass), rather it is the inability
of nature and environment to maintain their ‘carrying capacity’ necessary to sustain human activities. This
is why overpopulation is also the world’s top environmental issue. It is quite essential to know here that the
human population on the planet Earth took thousands of years to reach 1 billion in 1804. However, it took
just 123 years to double to 2 billion by 1927. The human population hit 4 billion in just 47 years in 1974. It
took just 13 years to add one more billion when world population touched 5 billion in 1987. Global popu-
lation has swelled in record time since 1987. It took only a dozen years for humanity to reach the milestone
of 7 billion in 2011 from the mark of 6 billion in 1999. The future population estimate by the United Nations
envisions a peak of about nine billion around 2050. This is not the time of celebration as most of the popu-
lation rise is happening in the developing countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America. On the other hand,
the combined populations in Europe, North America and other wealthy industrialized nations are relative-
ly flat with no substantial increase. Some countries, such as Germany, Russia and Japan, are poised to go
downward in population growth. Overpopulation is a real problem at present to handle particularly by the
developing countries. Rich countries have already made progress in controlling their population with high
standard of life while poor countries are adding numbers without much wealth and resources left to take
care of the ballooning population.

At present, more percentage of world population belongs to the age group below 10 and about 64 percent of

449<< Nova Social Studies Grade-10

the total old population in the world lives in less developed regions. Asia has the maximum number of old
population while Europe has the least. This is why the UN General Assembly issued 62-point declaration
in 1982 for the wellbeing of the old populations around the world. The declaration stressed upon providing
social security to the old (elderly) people. Nepal has already taken a lead by distributing old age allowance
to the senior citizens since 2051 BS. We all are expected to have respectful attitude and treatment towards
the old citizens.

(F.) Nuclear energy

Nuclear energy is released from nuclear reactions. Nuclear energy can be used to produce electricity in a
nuclear power plant. However, it is a matter of great concern for the global community when the nuclear
energy has been used to make nuclear bombs. The use of nuclear bombs on Hiroshima (dropped on Au-
gust 6, 1945) and Nagasaki (dropped on August 9, 1945) during the World War II is still haunting the hu-
manity killing hundreds of thousands of people instantly on the spot. Even after seven decades since the
use of the first nuclear bomb and the end of the World War II, the world faces a growing threat of nuclear
conflict. Today, nine countries namely China, India, Israel, France, North Korea, Russia, the United King-
dom and the United States hold minimum 16,000 nuclear weapons. More than half of the nuclear weapons
and warheads have been kept by only two countries: United States and Russia. That’s enough to destroy
the planet hundreds of times over. The threat of using nuclear energy for destructions as nuclear bombs in
the ballistic missiles is so imminent and of course full of dangerous consequences. Nuclear weapons pose
the single biggest threat to the Earth’s environment. A sudden change to the Earth’s ecosystem because
of nuclear blasts would be worse than any of the effects predicted by global warming due to greenhouse
gases. If a nuclear weapon exploded in a major city, the blast center (spot) would be hotter than the surface
of the sun; high speed winds having the strength like a tornado would spread the fire flames; and a mil-
lion or more people could die on the spot. Survivors would fumble with no electricity, no transportation,
no phones and hospitals would be struggling to give services if at all they were still standing. In addition
to the death of millions of people, the use of nuclear weapons would crash the present climatic conditions
and most of the world would be unable to grow crops for more than a decade or so. All the life forms
including human beings will undergo adverse gene mutation losing their immune power for several gen-
erations after they get caught in the nuclear war.

Ballistic missiles with nuclear warheads
Proliferation of nuclear energy being used for making nuclear weapons is very dangerous. This is high time
that the world is made free of nuclear weapons to get rid of their destructive use.

(G.) Contagious diseases

Contagious diseases are transferrable diseases, which are transmitted to other persons, either by physical

450 Nova Social Studies Grade-10 >>

contact with the person suffering from the disease, or by the objects touched by them or through any other
medium like air, water and others. An outbreak of such diseases affects the entire community if not checked
or prevented in time. An outbreak may occur in one community or even extend to several countries. An out-
break of such diseases may take the form of epidemic or pandemic making it difficult to handle it effectively
resulting in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people in few days to few weeks. Some examples of such
diseases are Ebola, AIDS, SARS, Swine Flu, Zika Virus, Sickle cell anemia and others. It can last from days to
years. An epidemic occurs when an infectious disease spreads rapidly amongst many people. For example, in
2003, the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) epidemic took the lives of nearly 800 people worldwide.
A pandemic is a global disease outbreak such as HIV/AIDS. Just recently Zika virus (fever) spread to different
parts of the world from Brazil as pandemic.

Zika Virus in Microscope Ebola Virus Carrier of Malaria

There is no foolproof method for preventing the spread of diseases as epidemic or pandemic. However, now-
adays vaccines are more easily available than before. Mass vaccination to cure and prevent the outbreak of
epidemic in a community is very helpful to check the diseases. In addition to vaccinations, one can take other
prevention steps like keeping the hands clean, avoiding crowded places, wearing a face mask, etc.

(H.) Climate change

Climate change refers to forceful change in the climatic patterns around the planet Earth not caused by the
natural factors in normal course bringing adverse impacts on the present life patterns of human beings.
Climate change is attributed directly or indirectly to human activity that alters the composition of the global
atmosphere making the earth hotter than before. The continuous increase of greenhouses gases in the atmo-
sphere produced by human activities such as industrialization and urbanization has caused the temperature
to rise which is called greenhouse effect. Though greenhouse effect is necessary for all of us to survive, the
increase of these gases happening dues to human activity, not because of natural factors beyond a certain
limit will only create harmful effects for us and the environment.

Release of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide leads to global warming and climate change.

The large amount of greenhouse gases released from industries, vehicles, and agricultural activities increas-
es the concentration of carbon dioxide, chlorofluorocarbons and nitrous oxide in the atmosphere. Burning
fossil fuels, such as coal, oil and natural gas to generate energy has greater impact on the atmosphere than
any other single human activity. We need to dramatically reduce global carbon emissions because these
greenhouse gases heat up the atmosphere more than its usual level. And the increased temperature level

451<< Nova Social Studies Grade-10

causes heat waves and makes it difficult for people to survive. Effects of climate change have been visible in
different parts of the world including Nepal. All of us have been experiencing excess rainfall, droughts, hur-
ricanes and floods hitting one or the other parts of the world quite frequently. There are regions in the world
facing plenty of rainfall while the other regions are suffering from droughts throughout the year. Such types
of effects are attributed to climate change. Climate change has adversely affected the lives and livelihoods
of millions of people and is likely to affect many more if not checked in time. All the countries of the world
have agreed to act together in a bid to fight the climate change.

Words and terms you would like to know

Indiscriminate (adj.): inconsiderate, not showing careful thought or planning
Imminent (adj.): coming or likely to happen very soon
Proliferation (n.): a great increase all of a sudden
Outbreak (n.): a time when something suddenly begins, especially a disease or some dangerous or unpleasant thing

Activities

1. How many people have crossed 60 years in your community? What kinds of problems are they are
facing at this age? Have a discussion in the classroom and write down the conclusions. Also suggest the
measures to be adopted for checking overpopulation in Nepal.

2. Collect the contemporary events from media like newspapers, magazines, radio, internet and television.
Arrange them with short descriptions and present the same in the classroom.

3. Explain why Nepal shouldn’t develop nuclear energy. Hold a debate on this topic in the classroom.
4. Landmines are real threats to humanity. Prepare an editorial on this for a national daily.
5. Wildfires, deforestation, shifting habitat have caused several species to become extinct, pushed few of

them towards extinction and rest of them have migrated to some other places. Government must play
a central role to tackle the climate crisis. Hold a speech competition in the classroom to highlight the
adverse impacts of climate change and the measures (steps) that the Government of Nepal must take to
check this problem in Nepal.
6. Forests are home to many of the world’s most endangered wildlife. They also protect the planet by
absorbing carbon dioxide, a major source of pollution that causes climate change. Provide a detailed
account of forest reserve in Nepal. Collect all the information regarding the ways or measures which the
local community, NGOs and the Government of Nepal have been using to enrich and expand the forest
base in Nepal.
7. The French satirical weekly newspaper Charlie Hebdo in Paris was attacked by terrorists on January
7, 2015 killing 12 people and injuring 11 others. On January 11, about two million people, including
more than 40 world leaders, met in Paris for a rally of international unity and 3.7 million people joined
demonstrations across France to protest against the terrorist attack on Charlie Hebdo. It was the biggest
ever rally by civilians (common citizens of the world) who stood boldly against global terrorism and
demonstrated their resolve to fight it.
Have a discussion with your classmates as to how to caution the near and dear ones to stay alert on any
news, views or acts concerning terrorism. Prepare slogans and draw pictures with messages to raise the
consciousness of people against terrorist activities.

Exercise

1. What is meant by the contemporary events? Make a list of contemporary events of the present day
world.

2. What is terrorism? Specify the ways to end it. Mention it in points.
3. What are the ways to stop the spread and effects of Zika virus?

452 Nova Social Studies Grade-10 >>

4. Mention any four effects caused by the depletion of the ozone layer.
5. What are the steps taken in Nepal for keeping the public places clean? Make a list.
6. What is nuclear energy? Explain how nuclear energy has become so dangerous for the world and a real

threat to the present day humanity.
7. Overpopulation is a real threat to environment. Analyze the statement critically with the help of

appropriate illustrations.
8. Define epidemic. Make a list of diseases which have spread like an epidemic in Nepal. Suggest the

measures or steps to be taken in order to stop the outbreak of such diseases. Also mention the emergency
measures to be taken to cure them or check their spread.
9. What is disarmament? Explain how it is helpful for us.
10. Sustainable development has the potential to solve the problems of overpopulation, climate change
and violent conflicts which all of us are facing today in all parts of the world. Critically evaluate the
observation and draw your conclusions.

Community Work

Prepare a report on climate change -- causes, effects and measures to stop it. Take help from the educated
and informed people in your community and discuss the topic before you write the report.

453<< Nova Social Studies Grade-10

Lesson Globalization and Regionalization

6

Globalization: Meaning, Features, Impacts

Globalization has interconnected different regions with each other to make the world a ‘Global Village’.
Globalization is the free flow of products (goods and services), ideas, views and cultures from one part of
the world to the other. In a broader sense, globalization is the integrating force where the entire world is
interdependent and interconnected by politics, economy and culture. Therefore, globalization is the action
or procedure of international integration caused by the interchange of products, ideas, views and cultures.
The phenomenon of globalization has given rise to the reality of “Global Village” where the entire world is
woven in one fabric of interdependence. The ancient Hindu text Maha Upanishad (classified as a Vaishna-
va Upanishad) had already advocated for this interdependence on the planet Earth as “Basudhaiva Kutumb-
kam” which means “The world is one family.” Thus the modern phenomenon of globalization is nothing but
the demonstration of our ancient conviction which we lived and practiced then. This idea of ‘global village’
and ‘Basudhaiva Kutumbkam’ received another name as ‘world without borders’ when an American environ-
mentalist Lester Russel Brown (born March 28, 1934) chose to write a book on it. No doubt, all of us live in a
nation because the present world is divided into several nations. Some are rich while some are poor. Natural
resources and human talents are not shared freely to reach out to every individual. However, there are some
common issues where whole world is coming together forgetting their differences as nations. Such issues
are related with nature and environment. Nowadays terrorism and nuclear disarmament are also gaining
momentum where all the nations are getting united to save the planet Earth. Despite the challenges ahead,
the modern development in transportation (through seas and air) and in telecommunications (through ra-
dio, television and internet) have led to the fast flow of products, views and ideas across the nations where
borders are falling down. In the modern trend of globalization, borders along the nations are no longer an
obstacle and the world is getting one for trade, business and migration.
The political reality of having independent states (countries) is going to stay for long as there is no possi-
bility of having just one governing authority on the planet Earth. However, the globalization has made it
possible for all the independent states to cooperate with each other to do trade and business more freely than
ever before. It is the economic interdependence and integration in some parts of the world which has set
the trend for exchange of culture and political ideas among the nations. This is where the term like ‘global
culture’ is gaining popularity against local or regional culture. Modern media in telecommunication has
brought interactive platforms for people of all age groups to understand each other and share their news,
views and cultures even though they are physically far away.

454 Nova Social Studies Grade-10 >>

Globalization has interconnected the people but has failed to end inequality from the world.

When did globalization begin? There cannot be specific answer to it as it is not a specific event having
birth and death. Globalization is an ongoing process which can be slow or fast but can never be totally
absent. Modern day trend of globalization can be analyzed from the 19th century onwards. The trend of
globalization picked up in the 19th century when European countries began to set up their colonies in
different parts of the world for economic exploitation of resources. This did not bring any good to unde-
veloped countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America except the fact that European countries accumulated
capital and their rivalries brought two World Wars in the first half of the 20th century. By the 20th century
especially after the end of the World War II in 1945, the modern inventions in high speed jet airplanes
and telecommunications especially telephone and internet connected the world like never before. Time
for travelling from one country to another was drastically reduced and sending messages via telephone
and internet became just instantaneous costing no time with minimum expenses. The broader acceptance
of democracy and its values like freedom, equality and justice for all after the end of cold war in 1990s
promoted the trend of globalization with a great force. More and more people began to travel across the
world in search of employment opportunities and settlements. Increased level of mutual tolerance and
international understanding with regard to other viewpoints, cultures and religions encouraged the glo-
balization to further strengthen its roots. Emergence of human rights for marginalized class, refugees, and
politically outcast helped the globalization to pick up its momentum because such people brought their
cultures, religions and skills to a foreign land and assimilated with the foreign culture in return. So, the
globalization has proved to be a great equalizer where assimilation and merger of two or more cultures
gives rise to global culture which is based on the values of tolerance, acceptance and understanding.
Globalization has brought the culture of developed countries to the developing and least developed coun-
tries. It means that developed countries are in influential position to transfer their financial aid, foreign
investment, political assistance and technological support to the developing and least developed countries.
Along with this support and assistance come the cultures of the developed countries which developing
countries cannot choose but accept. Thus, the critics of globalization do not look at it as a great equalizer,
rather they consider it as a great imposer or dictator. Whatever the case may be, globalization is the reality
of the present day world and it is going to stay with all its advantages and disadvantages. Globalization is
simply not reversible. Careful analysis proves that the advantages of globalization far outweigh its disad-
vantages. On the one hand globalization has brought opportunities and on the other it has made one region
dependent on the other regions. The impacts (effects) of globalization can be understood in following points:

Positive Effects (Strong Side) Negative Effects (Negative Side)
Developed countries got the opportunity to estab- Least developed and developing countries have not
lish contacts with the other countries in the world been able to progress rapidly due to the absence of
and have been able to extend their help in ending smart technology and scientific inventions. Devel-
poverty, promoting economic growth and decreas- oped countries don’t share all their skills and tech-
ing trade deficit. nology with them.
Globalization has brought foreign assistance in the Globalization has brought the foreign culture, tradi-
form of loans, grants and aid to the developing tion and values in developing and poor countries at
countries thereby improving the quality of educa- the cost of losing their own local culture, tradition,
tion and healthcare. norms and values.

455<< Nova Social Studies Grade-10

Developed countries due to their strength in tele- Developing and poor countries in absence of hav-
communication like satellite, television, radio, inter- ing their own modern media and air transportation
net and modern transportation through high speed have not much to offer to the world. Developed
airplane are spreading their views, news, cultures countries in any case are not interested in the people
and products to the rest of the world. Developed and products of the developing and poor countries
countries transmit their lifestyle, thinking pattern as they do not match with the standards of quality
and political views to the rest of the world by using which the developed countries want.
the modern media.
Development of science and technology has helped Developing and poor countries are lagging behind
to diversify trade and business in different parts of due to brain drain as they lack parallel level of sci-
the world. It has made it easy in making financial ence and technology. The poor countries like Nepal
payment. The flow of capital from one part of the have ended up becoming the exporters of labour to
world to other has gone up as many people are opt- other rich countries because they have a vast pool
ing to set up independent business units. Global- of unskilled and skilled labor force. Such workers
ization has increased the skill level of workers and migrate to rich countries to work for them.
enhanced their capacity to work.
Globalization has brought all the countries togeth- Globalization has brought the multi-national com-
er on common issues such as climate change, glob- panies to manufacture products in the developing
al terrorism, sustainable development, etc. It has and least developed countries. This has replaced
created international understanding amongst the the indigenous industries and service providers
countries and facilitated in the maintenance of in- from their local markets because the local industries
ternational peace and security. cannot match with the foreign capital and skills.
Globalization promotes competitions amongst As variety of people and products easily cross the
manufacturers to sell their products and get more boundaries of nations across the world, a possible
and more customers. In this whole process, cus- danger regarding epidemics, deviation in social
tomers are the ultimate beneficiaries as they get the norms, smuggling of drugs and trafficking of hu-
cheapest and the best products. mans through criminal and terrorist links always
exists.
Developing countries are able to reap the benefits Developed countries put pressure on the least de-
of free flow of the products and the latest technolo- veloped countries for accepting their political sys-
gy to economically succeed and increase their stan- tem, cultural patterns and economic conditions in
dard of living. return of the help and assistance they extend.

Regionalization: Meaning, Features, Impacts

In Nepali dictionary, regionalization has been taken as a decentralized unit with a view to administer a re-
gion effectively with a view to bring social harmony and economic development. Regionalization is not just
the division of a world into nations and a nation into states or provinces but also includes strong identifica-
tion with its social and cultural pattern in order to give it a political and economic protection. The regional-
ization is a process which is more emotional (psychological) than being physical like creating more regions.
Regionalization gives a specific region the utmost importance. Regionalization emphasizes on production
of goods and services in a specific region and promotes a region-specific culture, dressing pattern, norms
and values, rites and rituals and also stands for the preservation of local ecosystem. Local community gets
priority in all the development projects and their local knowledge is given due respect without discarding
the modern science and technology. The use of telecommunication is more inclined towards strengthening
the regional identity rather than diluting it with the tactful imposition of foreign culture. New inventions are
not allowed to displace the local skills and local technology. This is like following a middle path where as-
similation between the local and modern skills brings better but hybrid adaptations in skill and technology
in a region. This definitely enhances the capacity of the local people in a region without compromising their
belief system and traditional cultural values.

The adoption of federalism in the democratic political system has made the process of regionalization more
relevant today. The significance of regionalization can be evaluated from the fact that more and more people
from all the backgrounds and regions are participating in politics to bring positive change in their region. It
is very interesting to observe that community people are coming forth to give services for the cause of local
development. And last but not the least the process of regionalization has brought the issue of socio-eco-

456 Nova Social Studies Grade-10 >>

nomic development of a region in the centre of public debate and action. No doubt, regionalization is the
preservation of fundamental norms and mores of the local community inhabiting a region since ancient
times. It underscores the unity amid the diversity prevailing in a human society. United Nations Organiza-
tion has set a series of goals in the area of sustainable development to be achieved by accepting the reality of
regionalization around the world. The impacts (effects) of regionalization are both positive and negative in
nature. The following are the impacts (effects) of regionalization:

Positive Effects (Strong Side) Negative Effects (Negative Side)

Regionalization brings the marginalized and back- It blocks all the internationally manufactured goods
ward classes into the mainstream of the develop- and services from entering a nation’s domestic mar-
ment process. ket.

People advocate from centralized approach of de- It refuses to recognize the reality at political, eco-
velopment in which there is no place and room for nomic and social level outside a particular region. So
foreign goods and services to enter. it is like a frog in a well unaware of the light outside.

It emphasizes more on nationalism by criticizing It breeds fundamentalism and may radicalize the
and opposing foreign interference and interdepen- community regarding their own culture and values
dent approach amongst the nations. by undermining the values and cultures of others.

It stresses on consumption of local products and Mostly, people are left with costly products with in-
hence encourages the local manufacturers to con- ferior quality because there is no free competition
tinue with their enterprise and entrepreneurship. amongst the manufacturers (producers) of goods
Foreign goods and services are deliberately reject- and services. This leads to exploitation of consumers
ed. in disguise by the locals.

A country’s workforce does not go for foreign em- A regional economy is too narrow a concept that it
ployment and offers their labor and skill in the rejects even an attempt to integrate it with a national
regional economy by refusing to step outside a economy, leave alone the global economy.
region.

Words and terms you would like to know

Instantaneous (adj.): happening very quickly; happening in an instant
Underscore (v.): to emphasize (something) or show the importance of (something)
Undermine (v.): to make someone or something weaker or less effective
Assimilate (v.): to adopt the ways of another culture; to fully become part of a different society, country, etc.
Tactful (adj.): doing something carefully without the real motive behind it being noticed
Norms (n.): standards of proper or acceptable behaviour
Mores (n.): the customs, values, and behaviours that are accepted by a particular group, culture, etc.

Activities

1. Just imagine you happen to visit a ‘Swadeshi Trade Fair’ where you come across a slogan like “Buy Ne-
pali, sell Nepali” which exhorts the people to turn to country-made products (or indigenous products)
produced by own local producers (manufacturers) in order to promote regional economy. All the local
producers there are displaying their products in the stalls. What kinds of information do you expect to
gather from there? Describe the information you have gathered along with your experience in the trade
fair in the form of a news report.

2. Businesses are going global which means that some jobs can be done by foreign workers for a much
cheaper cost than domestic workers. This is called outsourcing. Do you think Nepal can grab more jobs
from foreign and multi-national companies as a result of which our productive workforce will raise
their living standard? Hold a discussion in the classroom and write down the final conclusions in points
by giving reasons.

457<< Nova Social Studies Grade-10

Exercise

1. What is meant by globalization? Illustrate with the help of appropriate examples.
2. Define a region. What is regionalization?
3. Prepare a news report highlighting the benefits of globalization.
4. Mention the adverse (negative) impacts of globalization.
5. Specify the special economic features of globalization.
6. Illustrate with the help of examples how regionalization is different from globalization.
7. Both globalization and regionalization can go hand in hand. Critically analyze the statement in context

of Nepal with the help of various live and contemporary examples.
8. Highlight the positive and negative aspects of regionalization.
9. Are we really living in a world without borders? Express your views in light of an interaction between

the forces of both globalization and regionalization.

Community Work

At its core globalization is an easing of borders, making them less important as countries become dependent
on each other to thrive. Some scholars claim that governments are becoming less influential in the face of an
increasingly connected world. Others contest this, insisting that governments are becoming more important
because of the need for regulation and order in such a complex global system. What about Nepal? How far
do you find the role of the Government of Nepal is going in the right direction in accepting or rejecting the
wind of globalization? Hoods of regionalization are up waving with force as Nepal has adopted the dem-
ocratic federal republic political system with the goals of ethnic empowerment in the country. How far has
the Government of Nepal been able to welcome or resist the wave of regionalization and what efforts has
it made to balance both the forces of globalization and regionalization in the best interest of the country?
Conduct a research on the questions raised here and collect the views and information by interviewing the
higher officials from the Government departments from different ministries. Prepare a report on the topic,
“Globalization and Regionalization: Unique Balancing in Nepal”.

458 Nova Social Studies Grade-10 >>

Model Question Paper Strictly Based on Specification Grid

Set: A, Level: Secondary,

Subject: Social Studies, Full Marks: 75

(Group A)

Very short answer questions (7x1 = 7)

1. Write the role to be played by the state for human resource development in a sentence.

2. State any two ways to produce skilled human resource.

3. Write any two advantages of the preservation of our heritages.

4. Prepare a slogan that creates public awareness against social problems in Nepal.

5. Mention any two conditions of Delhi Agreement.

6. When was economic development plan started in Nepal?

7. What works can be carried out by UNESCO in the development of your community? Name any two
possible work.

(Group B)

Short answer questions (10x4=40)

8. What is meant by Human Development Index? Mention any three measures to uplift the human devel-
opment status in Nepal.

9. Local development proposal plays vital role in the development of local level. Justify this statement in
four points.

10. A discussion is continuing regarding the choice of songs and musical instruments to be used in the pro-
gramme going to be organized in your community. Mention any four practical suggestions you would
like to give in that discussion.

11. Read the following news and find out the major problems. Then mention any four solutions to solve
these types of serious problem like human and human organ trafficking.

Girl trafficking going on in residential quarters, not in the brothel

Falgun 19, Kathmandu (Online news): Miss Ningma Sherpa (name changed) from Sundhupalchok
paid 16 lakh rupees to a manpower agent to go to Canada in search of employment and permanent
settlement. Her dream shattered when she found herself being sold to a beer bar in New Delhi. Sim-
ilarly, another girl from Nepal was locked in a room and sold in New Delhi by an agent who had
taken 22 lakh rupees in order to send her to United States of America. Such kinds of cases are being
heard quite often. These girls are trapped in a human trafficking net and used for sex trade, dance
bar, human organs sale (like kidney, liver, blood sale). Nowadays even educated women are getting
trapped by human traffickers because they want to leave their motherland for earning money in the
foreign land. There are several such examples where Nepalese women have used up their parental
property only to go to foreign land and finally fall prey to trafficking net.

12. What should be done to make women’s rights execution more effective? Write in four points.

13. Guess any month’s average temperature of the place you live in and present it in a line graph.

14. Present two features each of the climate and vegetation found in the Equatorial Region with reasons.

15. You might have taken a tour of any historical or archeological site. What were the objectives and find-
ings of the tour? Write in brief.

459<< Nova Social Studies Grade-10

16. What role can the co-operatives play in the economic development of a country? Write your views in
four points.

17. When was the UNO established? Mention any three objectives of this organization.
(Group C)

Long answer questions (4x7=28)
18. Give an introduction to federalism and show four similarities and four differences between Federal

Legislature and Province Legislature according to the constitution of Nepal.
19. Draw an outline map of Nepal and insert the following items in it.
Tea production area, Mt. Manaslu, Lumbini, River Karnali, Char Kose Jhadi, Sugar Mills

OR
Draw the map of North America and insert the following facts there.
Gulf of Mexico, Prairies, River St Laurence, San Francisco, Great Lakes, Rocky Mountain Range, Alaska,

Great Wheat Belt, Coniferous Forest Belt
20. The Second World War was greatly indicted by the feelings of revenge. Write a letter to your friend

justifying that revenge always invites destruction.
21. Discuss in detail the potentiality and importance of hydro-electricity in Nepal.

460 Nova Social Studies Grade-10 >>

Specification Grid (Theoretical evaluation)

Subject: social studies Full marks: 75

Knowledge and Creative, critical Ability to do Value and attitude
understanding thinking and (application, (12%)
practical and
(31%) analysis, problem research skills)
solving (36%)
(21%)
Period
Unit Area/Scope Veiy short answer-

Questions
Short Answer

-Questions
Long Answer

-Questions
Very short answer-

Questions
Short Answer

-Questions
Long Answer

-Questions
Veiy short answer-

Questions
Short Answer

-Questions
Long Answer

-Questions
Very short answer-

Questions
Short Answer

-Questions
Long Answer

-Questions
Total No. of Questions
Total Mark
Time (in Minute)

1 We and Our Society 15 1 1 1 25 9
1 11 1 25 9
2 Development and
Infrastructures of 16 59
Development 25 9
<< Nova Social Studies 461Grade-10 16
3 Our Social Values and
Norms 1
19
4 Social Problems and
Solutions

5 Civic Consciousness 22 1 1 11 2 11 20
6 Our Earth 27 1 2 15 26

7 Our Past 22 1 1 11 3 12 22
8 Our Economic Activities 18 1

3 12 22

9 Our International Relation 15 1 1 1 35 9
and Cooperation

Total 170 4 3 1 1 3 2 1 2 1 1 2 0 21 75 135

Total Marks 4 12 7 1 12 14 1 8 7 1 8 0 75

462 Nova Social Studies Grade-10 >> Types of Question No. of Mark Total Mark Time Division
questions Division
Long Answer - Questions 4 x 7 = 28 Each 1 mark question takes 1.8 minute. Students need to
4 1x7 10 x 4 = 40 answer the questions by adjusting the time as per the nature
Short Answer - Questions of the questions. They need to answer the questions without
Very short Answer- 10 1x4 7x1 = 7 making a long background to read the questions, think and
Questions 75 answer them on time.
Total 7 lxl
21

Note

a) Questions can be asked form the contemporary affairs of Nepal and the world by adjusting the subject and areas concerned with the above
mentioned units. However, such questions should be relevant with the curriculum and textbook of the Social Studies.

b) The provision has been made to make the very short, short and long questions by combining two units. The provision has also been made to
prepared such questions from the two domains (level) of learning. For Example, a short questions should be made from value and attitude
level of the unit 4 while the same mark’s short question should be asked from the creative, critical thinking, analysis, and problem solving of
the unit 3, and vice versa the same rules will be applicable for other units and level of questions.

c) In the unit 6, a long questions will be asked to draw a map of Nepal to show the general size and shape using the free-hand method. An
alternative question to draw a map of any one of the continents: Africa, North America, and South America by using same method will also
be asked. Also, the students need to insert the given facts on the maps. Nonetheless, in case of North America, the students need not show the
islands to the north of Hodson Bay.

d) At least a short or long question of pf object work including its such organs as action plan, methods, tools, and report or any one organ from
among the various organs of report of excursion will be asked relating to the community work from the ability to do level (any one out of unit
5, 6, 7, 8 and 9).

e) Item(question) number should be fixed as 1 to 7 for very short, answer - questions, then 8 to 17 for short answer - questions and then 18 - 21 for
long answer - questions.

f) Letter-based grade should be determined by summing up the written (theoretical) and practical marks obtained by the students.